Actor Neha Dhupia has resumed her professional commitments following the recent passing of her father-in-law, renowned cricketer Bishan Singh Bedi. She made her comeback to work on Friday as she took on the role of hosting the MAMI opening night.
The Jio MAMI Mumbai Film Festival 2023 kicked off on October 27, with its opening night taking place at the Nita Mukesh Ambani Cultural Centre (NMACC). The event drew a star-studded gathering, with numerous well-known celebrities in attendance, such as Priyanka Chopra, Kamal Haasan, Mani Ratnam, Kareena Kapoor, and Aditi Rao Hyadri, to name a few.
In a poignant gesture of respect, Dhupia was observed wearing a black armband on her left arm throughout the event.
Bishan Singh Bedi, the celebrated former Indian cricket captain and iconic spin bowler, passed away at the age of 77 on October 23. For the past two years, Bedi had been battling deteriorating health and had undergone several medical treatments. He is survived by his wife, Anju, and their son Angad Bedi and daughter-in-law Neha Dhupia.
The BCCI mourns the sad demise of former India Test Captain and legendary spinner, Bishan Singh Bedi.
— BCCI (@BCCI) October 23, 2023
Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and fans in these tough times.
May his soul rest in peace 🙏 pic.twitter.com/oYdJU0cBCV
About The Former Cricketer
Born on September 25, 1946, in Amritsar, Punjab, India, Bedi was a left-arm spin bowler known for his graceful and classical bowling action.
He started his international career with his Test debut for the Indian cricket team in 1966 against the West Indies and played 67 Test matches for India until 1979.
A master of flight and deception, relying on his ability to turn the ball both ways, Bedi was one of the quartet of Indian spin bowlers, along with Erapalli Prasanna, Srinivas Venkataraghavan, and Bhagwat Chandrasekhar, who played a crucial role in India's first-ever ODI victory.
Indian Captaincy & Controversy
Known for his remarkable accuracy and flight in his deliveries, Bedi served as the captain of the Indian cricket team for a brief period in the 1970s starting in 1976. He was known for his uncompromising commitment to cricketing ethics and fair play.
He took over the captaincy from Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi. Under his leadership, India secured its first Test victory when they defeated the West Indies in the 3rd Test of the 1976 series in Port-of-Spain. During this match, India achieved a then-record total of 406 runs in the fourth inning. This triumph was followed by a series win of 2-0 against New Zealand in home conditions.
However, Bedi's captaincy faced challenges, as the team experienced consecutive Test series losses to England (3-1 at home), Australia (3-2 away), and Pakistan (2-0 away). Consequently, he was replaced as the captain by Sunil Gavaskar.
Bedi ranks second to Lance Gibbs in terms of maiden overs bowled per Test, recording an average of 16.35 compared to Gibbs' 16.62.
Post Retirement Career
After retiring from international cricket, Bedi remained actively involved in the sport. He became a successful cricket coach and mentor. He has also been a commentator and outspoken critic on various issues related to cricket.
In recognition of his contribution to Indian cricket, Bedi was awarded the prestigious Arjuna Award in 1972. He has also received numerous other awards and accolades for his services to the sport.
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